Man Charged With Burglarizing Huntington Station Convent as a Hate Crime

Hate Crimes Unit detectives arrested a 31-year-old man Tuesday who police say burglarized a Huntington Station convent on two separate occasions in March.

On March 7 and March 26, an unknown person entered Saint Hugh of Lincoln Convent, located at 27 East Ninth St., and stole property and cash belonging to the nuns who live there, police say.

A tablet and tablet chargers were among the items that were reported stolen, according to police.

Roberto Pantoja, of Huntington Station, was placed under arrest following an investigation and was charged with two counts of second-degree burglary as a hate crime.

The investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information about these burglaries to contact the Hate Crimes Unit at 631-852-6323. All calls will be kept confidential.

Pantoja is being held at the seventh precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in First District Court in Central Islip.

Image via SCPD